Where to go and what to do from the one's who know
how to manage Grant Park the best.
It is usually a good idea to prepare for all possible weather conditions in order to insure your comfort while enjoying the performances.
We suggest that you bring:
- an umbrella
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- sweatshirt
- a blanket or folding chair
- insect repellant
- and a bottle of water
*Please note that coolers and ice chests are not allowed in the festivals.
Parking
There are several reasonably priced parking garages near Grant Park and parking is not available on festival grounds. Parking garages are located at the Millennium Park Garage that can be accessed on Columbus between Randolph and Monroe from either north or south, the Monroe Street Underground at Monroe & Columbus, and the Grant Park Underground parking garage entrances located at Michigan at Madison and Michigan at Randolph.
Public Transportation
The Mayor's Office of Special Events encourages taking public transportation to all Grant Park festivals to enhance the experience by making travel easier. Call (312) 836-7000/TTY or (312) 836-4949 for information on RTA, CTA, PACE and Metra, 7 days a week including holidays, or go to the CTA website. For up-to-the-minute traffic information and travel alerts, go to the Department of Transportation's In the Loop web page. For CTA, RTA and Metra travel routes, call 836-7000 in all Chicagoland area codes or go to www.transitchicago.com
Food and Refreshments
There are always several restaurants and vendors selling their specialty foods at each festival.
Getting to the Festival
The following are driving directions to the Chicago Blues Festival held in Grant Park.
From Northern Suburbs & Northwest Side of the City:
Take the Kennedy or Edens Expressway (90/94) East to Ohio Exit, take Ohio to Columbus, turn right to parking or Grant Park.
From the Northeast & Southeast Side of the City:
Take Lake Shore Drive Southbound or Northbound to Randolph. Turn left at Columbus to enter parking garages
From South & Southwest Suburbs and Southwest Side of the City:
Take Dan Ryan (90/94) North to Congress (290 Eisenhower Expressway), turn left at State to Monroe, turn right. Monroe to Columbus, turn left to parking garages (see parking listed below).
From Western Suburbs:
Eastbound on (290 Eisenhower Expressway) to State Street, turn left at State to Monroe, turn right. Monroe to Columbus, turn left and parking garage entrances are located in the center of the street.
